Rugby Reports 14
(1969-70)

69-70 should have been a good year for Saints, who had all the prerequisites for an outstanding team — Strength in depth and outstanding individuals including five county players — Checkley, Harvey, Miller, Pooley and Roscoe. Indeed the season began satisfactorily with a hat-trick of successes but the strongest fixture list in the school's history seemed to reduce a potentially good recard to a very ordinary one.

It is difficult to analyse why exactly the team failed to win any of the really difficult fixtures against teams such Windsor, Reigate, Northampton, St. Benedict's and Llanelli. Although bad luck is often blamed it can be said that a good team makes its own luck and this Saints failed to do. Perhaps a certain amount of fundamental hardness was lacking from the team in general, a lesson for future years, in that the team seemed to feel more respect for the opposition than was deserved. The days of 'participation' have long since left 1st XV rugby and whether good or bad, the team that wins is invariably the team that hates to lose.

In the duration of the season Dennis again proved to be among the most penetrative wings in the country and the inadequacy of county selection was once again underlined by the fact that he never received county recognition. Of the younger players Warby in particular and Szelewski improved immensely and should be class players next year. Harvey, Pooley, S. Hughes, and in the late stages of the season Goulding were the main stays of the forwards, and the backs, Cannon (vice-captain). Roscoe, Warby, Harris, M. Hughes, Miller and Dennis were collectively probably the best threequarters in the county.

At the end of the season a depleted XV made a short tour of Bristol where it had the misfortune to encounter St. Brendan's who, with three England players, would rate as the best team in England. This defeat and a second by Bristol G.S. tended to bring the Season to an anti-climax. The most satisfying win was probably that against Hampton, the first in many years.

Although a large proportion of the team is due to leave school there are plenty of good younger players who should fill the gaps more than adequately next year.

J. CHECKLEY

P18, W8, D1, L9. For 196 Ag 195

The 2nd XV's rather unimpressive record in terms of cold statistics fails to do justice to a very successful season. In assessing it, several factors should be borne in mind. First, the fixture list was very strong. Second, injuries prevented us ever fielding our strongest fifteen and well though the reserves played, the team was obviously weakened. Third, the team was a young one, consisting almost entirely of lower sixth and fifth formers, and the consequent lack of weight and experience in the pack was a constant but unavoidable source of weakness. In addition, there was an understandable lack of self confidence among some of the younger players, who did not therefore always do justice to their undoubted ability. Fourth, the rugby steadily improved over the season and was, at times of high quality. At school level, when the game is still being learnt, this must surely be the main criterion of success.

Although nine matches were lost the team was difficult to beat. Its speed and mobility enabled it to defend in depth, while the first time tackling of the three-quarters was at times devastating. To hold the powerful Northampton G.S. XV to 6-16 (five points coming in the last minute), when it had almost constant possession was one of the season's outstanding performances. The defence also excelled in defeats by St. Benedict's (0-11), Reigate G.S. (3-13) and the Old Boys (5-41). The last game was not the thrashing the score would imply, l am sure the Old Boys who played would admit their debt to A. Westray, playing in a game well below his class, was considerable. That the school team never give up, putting their opponents line under constant pressure in the last ten minutes, was a tribute to their fighting spirit.

It is generally happier (if less instructive) to remember victories. Exciting attacking rugby was played against weak Hampton G.S. and Wanstead C.H.S. sides, who were beaten 85-5 and 24-3 respectively. Incisive attack and determined defence earned wins over R.G.S. Guildford (9-6), perhaps the best match of the season Harrow C.G.S. (12-0), Surbiton G.S. (8-5) and Windsor G.S. (20-6).

These results were gained by consistent all round effort and teamwork rather than individual brilliance for the 2nd XV had no stars. However, some players deserve special mention. Props G. Briggs and R. Smith, together with the canny G. Parish, formed a compact front row who often gained parity in the set scrums against heavier opponents. At wing forward, S. Martin performed prodigies of covering and tackled fearlessly. D. Crombie, who played in every match, was always sound and showed a steadily improving tactical appreciation of the game. On the wing, F. Liebling ran in seven tries with a tricky combination of speed, strength and sheer effrontery. Especially pleasing was the great improvement shown by three young players, J. Jolly, outstanding in the loose rucks, G. Peters, a courageous and reliable scrum-half, and I. Ward, sound at fly-hall or fullback, who kicked consistently to score 65 points. The other regular players were T. Barker, D. Cox, M. Dawson, D. Kennett, D. Kingston, M. McLelland, M. Newing and S. Pearson. In addition, J. Miller played seven games for the 2nd XV and his example and experience were a great help to the side.

The excellent team spirit owed much to the strong leadership of captain B. Dimmock and vice-captain G. James. They led not only by exhortation but also by example, both playing consistently well throughout the season.

Finally, I would like to thank all the players for giving much pleasure to other spectators and myself. The team thought about the game, played hard and I think, enjoyed their rugby Well done!

E. A. COX.

In last year's Junior Rugby report it was hinted that the team had possibly reached its peak in terms of results, and would find it increasingly difficult to win matches this year. This, in fact, proved to be the case, and the team experienced only an average season. There were two main reasons for this. First, the inability of the forwards to dominate meant a lack of possession, and secondly the backs were a little short of penetrative pace. Handling was often very sloppy, though this was often the fault of the man giving the pass, rather than the one taking it. Hughes and Harding worked hard in the forwards, but a general lack of mobility, together with the unwillingness of several boys to get involved, meant that the pack hardly operated as such. All the forwards were guilty at some time or other of "fringing". when they should have been working hard for the possession the backs needed.

There were, however, some good things to come out of the season. Bond, at scrum-half, proved to be tough and elusive, though he needs to work at his passing. Haynes, the full-back, improved with every game, and played two splendid games on tour, Mulholland ran hard and effectively on the wing, while Plowman played soundly, and proved to be a hard working and responsible captain. For the rest, they have the individual skill and the enthusiasm, all they lack is the ability to play for each other. They will play very good rugby as soon as they realise that they must work hard, together, throughout the eighty minutes.

I. R. CLARKSON

The Junior Rugby XV had a moderate season winning five matches and losing seven. The season started with a very heavy defeat by an extremely talented and well drilled team from Wallington Grammar School. Fortunately this did not depress the Juniors and the following week they played some excellent rugby against Gunnersbury but were again defeated, although this was by a much narrower margin.

The forwards must accept most of the responsibility for the defeats at the start of the season as they tended to play as a group of individuals and too often many of them were slow to the loose ball. However, credit must be given to the forwards for the efforts they made to overcome their faults and weaknesses. The backs played reasonably well throughout the season. They could only be criticised for occasional spells of poor handling and poor defensive tackling.

The Juniors worked hard and maintained their enthusiasm and determination throughout the year and in the final analysis must be regarded as unlucky in that they played some excellent rugby and still lost matches. I hope that luck is on their side next year.

Junior colours were awarded to J. Hall (captain), D. Banks, A. Foulkes, M. Huddleston, P. Johnston, K. Lee, S. Moss, B. Nash, C. Thomas and C. Hampson.

A. M. HUGHES

The Minor XV has an unusually large pack for a St. Nicholas Junior side and it was therefore very frustrating when we very rarely won our fair share of the ball. Nor is the reason difficult to find. For no matter how good the individuals are, forwards will not gain the upper hand unless there is a concerted and a determined effort to do so. Far too many times, a player would come away with the ball only for the movement to die because of lack of support or his total disregard of supporting players. There were far too many players who were happy to lurk around the base of the ruck so that they could do something spectacular with the ball when it came out; naturally it very rarely did for the simple reason that there were not enough people in the ruck ensuring that the ball was won. Also, too many of our players, although they may be the first to a breakdown in play, are quite happy to let the opposition play the ball before they do something about it; they should remember that it is far easier to win good ball if you don't have to take it from your opponents first.

It is difficult to criticise the backs because they rarely had sufficient ball with which to learn their craft; however, there was often an alarming tendency to shadow tackle (the best two tacklers in the team were both tight forwards) and to pass without gaining ground.

Having made these criticisms, I must say that the team is a highly promising one, containing many good players. The back row of Szelewski, Murtagh and Haugh (until he became emergency scrum half after O'Connell's injury) was outstanding in attack and was responsible for the majority of the team's scores. The front five, when the above comments have been digested, are all competent, well-built players capable of forming the basis of a first class pack. The half-backs, O'Connell and Harries, are both good footballers, capable of taking on the opposition themselves as well as acting as the link with the three-quarters. The latter have an abundance of speed, although Barber kicks too much on the one wing and Hall tends to stop and jink inside when challenged on the other. Simmons must improve his handling in the centre and Owsley, the full-back, must be more decisive if they are to resist the challenge from some very good reserves, notably Laidler and Bohling who were competing strongly for places by the end of this season.

P. J. CAHILL